Self-closing container



' 1. B. BROWN. SELFUCLOSING CONTAINER. 'APPLICATION FILEDMAR. 5, 1920.

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INVENTOR I JOHN 3. BROWN, 01! BELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR 01E ONE-HALF T0 LESTER CANNOLD, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

SELF-CLOSING CONTAHTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mayild, 192d.

Application filed March 5, 1920, Serial No. 363,504.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN B. ABRO\\'N, a citizen of the Fnited States, residing at Belleville, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Closing which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates, generally, to improvements in contalners or receptacles; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to an improved construction of self-closing top for containers adapted to hold powdered and granulated materials, such, for example, as talcum and tooth powders, and the like.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novel construction of self-closing container top, which normally maintains the container closed against the escape of its contents, but which. by a simple manipulation, may be operated to permit the discharge of the contents therefrom.

A further object of said invention is to provide, in connection with the self-closing top, a novel construction of discharge directing and controlling means, which is simutaneously. moved into operative position when the self-closing top is opened but which is withdrawn into the containerand concealed when the top is in closed condition.

Other objects of the present invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understoodfrom the following detailed description of the same.

With the various objects of the invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel self-closing discharge top for containers hereinafter set forth; and the invention consists. furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in thedetails of the construction of the same, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described, and then finally embodied in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of a container equipped with the novel construction of self-closing discharge top made according to and embodying the principles of the present invention, said top being illustrated in normal closed position; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation of the same, said top being illustrated in operative open position; Fig; 4: is a detail front elevation of the same, with said top in operative open position; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical central section,

taken on line 5--5 in said Fig. 2, said View being drawn on an enlarged scale; Fig. 6 is a detail transverse section. taken on line 66 in said Fig. 5, illustrating one form of hinge mounting for said self-closing discharge top; Fig. I is a detail section taken on line 77 in said Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the novel discharge means forming an essential part of the selfclosing top; and Fig. 9 is a detail side elevation of the self-closing discharge top, illustrating the same in operative open position, and showing a modified arrangement of discharge openings provided in the dis charge means thereof.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawings, the reference-character 1 indicates the body-por-.

tion of a suitable form of container in which the material to be dispensed is contained. Connected with the upper end of said body portion 1 is an upper wall member or top 2, preferably of truncated conical conformation, providing at its upper free end an opening 3. The upper free edge of said upper wall member or top 2. which bounds Said opening 3, is preferably projected upwardly in the form of an annular vertical flange or neck a;

The reference-character 5 indicates a closure member, the main body of which con forms generally to the shape of the opening 3, so that, when normally disposed in closed position, the same extends horizontally over the said opening, in contacting engagement with the edge of said flange or neck a. Said closure member 5 is pro vided at its rear side with a lateraliy tapered rearwardly extending tongue, forming an integral part thereof, and pro iding a finger piece 6 for manipulating the same. The peripheral edges of said closure member and finger piece are preferably turned under the same to providea marginal head 7, within the bounds or embrace of which said flange or neck 4 is received when said closure member is in closed position,thus not only serving to provide a satisfactory embracement of the flange or neck 4 by the closure member 5, when the latter is in closed position, but also serving to stiffen the said closure member and its finger piece against distortion from its normal shape. To further reinforce said closure member against distortion, from accidental or other causes, the main body thereofmay be slightly domed to provide -the reinforcing boss 8, if it is so desired. Said closure member and its finger piece is designed to be pivotally co nected with the upper wall member or top 2, and to this end the same is provided with a-pair of laterally spaced perforate ears 9 depending from the underside thereof. Connected with said upper wall member or top 2 are. a pair of pintle supporting ears 10, suitably secured to said wall member or top 2 to project exteriorly thereof in proper location. Said perforate ears 9 of said closure member are registered with said pintle supporting ears 10 of said wall member or top 2, and a pintle 11 is inserted therethrough to thus pivotally connect or hinge said closure member in operative assembled relation to said wall member or top 2. A suitable spring means 12 is coiled about said pintle 11 intermediate said pintle supporting ears 10, so that one arm 13 thereof normally presses upwardly against the underside of said finger piece 6, and the other arm thereof is purchased against the exterior surface of said wall member or top 2, so that the tension of said spring 12 exerts its pressure to move said closure member into closed relation to said opening 3, and to normally maintain the same in such closed relation.

The reference character 15 indicates a tuend 16 in communication with the said contamer interlor, so that the contents of the latter may enter therein. Any suitable means for securmg sald arcuatedischarge member 15 to said closure member in the above described operative relation may be employed. In the drawings I have shown the upper end of said arcuate discharge memberprovided with clenching lugs 17 which project through the body of said closure member, being then turned over, as shown, to securely fasten the said parts-together, and while this method of fastening is Very satisfactoryI do not necessarily'limit myself to its use, if other fastening means are preferred. The curvature'of said tubular arcuate discharge member 15, when the same is in operative assembled relation to said closure member,conforms to an arc described by a radius struck from the pivotal point of connection between said closure member 5 and upper wall or top 2, so that as swinging movements, about said pivotal connection, are imparted to said closure member, said arcuate discharge member will readily and easily ride in and out through said opening 3 under the impulsion of said swinging movements. Provided in the wall of said arcuate discharge member 15, at the point of its larger circumference, or, in other words, at its outer face, is a discharge opening 18 of any suitable shape. In place of the single discharge opening shown in the main figures of the drawings I may employ a group of small perforations 19, if desired, (see Fig. 9) the latter being adapted to effect a sprinkling discharge means adapted particularly for talcum powders and similar preparations, whereas the .single larger discharge opening 18 is more closure member 5, as well asthe outwardly projecting movement of the arcuate discharge member 15, I provide the lower or inner end of the latter with a stop projection 20, which upon opening movement of said parts, is carried into stopped engagement with the margin of the opening 3 of said upper wall member or top 2.

The operation of the novel self-closing top for dispensing containers, above described in detail, is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and may be briefly described as follows It being desired to dispense some of the contents of the container, for example, tooth powder, the vuser grasps the container and presses the thumb downwardly upon the finger piece 6, thereby depressing the same against the tension of the spring means 12, so that the closure member 5 swings upward, The upward swinging movement of the closure member 5 causes the tubular arcuate discharge member to ride outwardly from the opening 3, thus exposing the discharge opening 18 thereof. The toothpowder may now be ejected from said eontainer by tilting the same upwardly in the familiarmanner, and is thereby caused to move from the interior of the container into the open lower or inner end of the tubular arcuate discharge member, and thence escaping from the opening 18. When a desired quantity of the powder has thus been ejected, the user merely sets the container down. releasing the finger piece (3. so that the. tension of the spring means 12 immediately and automatically moves said closure member to closed position, thereby withdrawing the discharge means 15 into the container, so that all chance ofthe escape of the powder is thereby automatically cut-oil", and the container is closed and so remains until said closure member and associated parts are again manipulated.

It will thus be apparent that my novel arrangement and construction of self-closing discharge top for containers, is not only very convenient from the standpoint of use, being manipulatable by one hand, but also possesses the advantage, by reason of its self-closing character, of providing a sanitary container which can not he accidentally left open for the admission of dust, dirt, germs, etc., with consequent contaminating efiect upon the contents of the container, nor can moisture enter the container to cake its contents or obstruct the operation of its movable parts, furthermore, an additional advantage exists, to wit, that there is less likelihood of waste of the contents through upsetting of an accidentally open container.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the several arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the foregoing specification, and as de-' fined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts described in the foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim v 1. The combination with a container of an upper wall member having an opening therein, a pivoted tubular arcuate discharge member closed at its outer end and having an open inner end communicating with the interior of said container said arcuate discharge member being arranged to ride slidingly in said opening, and said arcuate discharge member having a discharge openingin its wall adapted to be exposed when the former is moved to operative projected position from said opening.

2. The combination with a container 'of an upper wall member having an opening therein, a pivoted tubular arcuate discharge member closed at its outer end and having an openinner end communicating with the interior of said container, said arcuate discharge member being arranged to ride slid ingly in said opening. said arcuate discharge: member having a discharge opening in 1ts ingly in said opening. said arcuate discharge member having a discharge opening in its wall adapted to be exposed when the for mer is moved to operative projected position from said opening, spring means for impelling said arcuate discharge member into inwardly withdrawn and closed relation to said opening, and means for manu-.

ally moving said arcuate discharge member to operative projected position from said opening.

4. The combination with a container of an upper wall member having an opening therein, a pivoted closure member connected with said wall member to close over said-opening thereof, spring means for moving said 010- sure member to closed position, and a tubular arcuate discharge member depending from said closure member to normally extend through said opening into said container but adapted to be projected from said opening by movement. of said closure member to open position, said arcuate discharge member havinga discharge opening in its wall.

5. The combination with a container of an upper wall member having an opening therein, a pivoted closure member connected with said wall member to close over said opening thereof, spring means for movingsaid closure member to closed position, a tubular arcuate discharge member depending from said closure member to normallyextend through said opening into said container but adapted to be projected from said opening by movement of said closure member to open position, said arcuate discharge member having a discharge opening in its wall, and a finger-piece connected with said closure member for manipulating the same.

' therein, a pivoted closure member connected 6. The combination with a container of an upper wall member having an opening tubular arcuate discharge member dependmeans for movin ing from said closure member to normally extend throughsaid opening into said container butadapted to be projected from said opening by movement of said closure member to open position, said arcuate discharge member having a discharge opening in its wall, a finger-piece connected with said closure member for manipulating the same, and a stop means for limiting the opening movement of said closure member and said arcuate discharge member. i

7. The combinationwith a container of an upper wall member having an opening therein, a closure member engageable over said opening, means for pivoting said closure member to said wall member, spring said closure member to closed position, a nger-piece connected with said closure member manipulation of which moves said closure member to open position, and a tubular arcuate discharge member secured to the under side of said closure member to move therewith and to ride slidingly in said opening, said arcuate discharge member having a discharge opening in its wall. a

8. The combination with a container of an upper wall member having an opening therein, a closure member engageable' over said opening, means for pivoting said closure member to said Wall member, spring means for moving said closure member to closed position, a finger piece connected with said closure member manipulation of which moves said closure member to open position, a tubular arcuate discharge member secured to the under side of said closure member to move therewith and to ride slidingly in said opening, said arcuate discharge member having a discharge opening in its wall, and a stop projection connected with the inner end of said arcuate discharge member en'- gageable with said upper wall to limit the outward projection of said discharge member.

In testimony, that claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 2nd day of March, 1920.

JOHN B. BROWN.

Witnesses:

LESTER CANNoLD, GEORGE D. RICHARDS. 

